Submerged propulsion device

ABSTRACT

A submerged propulsion device is provided for use by experienced swimmers and divers and novice swimmers, so that they may propel themselves either upon the surface or underwater. The device is self-energized and translates reciprocating motion to rotary motion using a novel gear arrangement. The device may be used in combination with flotation devices or water vehicles to permit surface propulsion or with weighted devices for underwater travel.

United States Patent 11 1 Bernard [4 1 Nov. 11, 1975 SUBMERGED PROPULSION DEVICE [76] Inventor: Rodolphe J. Bernard, 17621 Irvine Blvd., Suite 101, Tustin, Calif. 92680 [22] Filed: June 10, 1974 211 App], NO; 477,794

[52] U.S. Cl. ll5/22.2; 9/301; 115/263 [51] Int. Cl? B63H 16/00 [58] Field of Search 115/61, 21, 22.1, 22.2, 115/223, 24, 25, 26.1, 26.3; 9/301; 74/30 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 693.615 2/1902 Minkus 115/25 863.013 8/1907 Baum 115/24 3.349.746 10/1967 Sydoriak 115/228 3.358.635 12/1967 MeRee 115/611 Primary Exam1inerTrygve M. Blix Asxsismnl E.\'unzine/'Sherman D. Basinger Attorney. Agent, or FirmGilbert A. Thomas [5 7 ABSTRACT A submerged propulsion device is provided for use by experienced swimmers and divers and novice swimmers, so that they may propel themselves either upon the surface or underwater. The device is self-energized and translates reciprocating motion to rotary motion using a novel gear arrangement. The device may be used in combination with flotation devices or water vehicles to permit surface propulsion or with weighted devices for underwater travel.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent I Nov. 11, 1975 FIG. 4

FIG. 3

1. Field'of the Invention This invention relates" 'to a gear mechanism which translates reciprocal motion to rotary motion for use in water related pr opuls'ion devices;

2. Description of'the Prior Art Various'devices are known to the art whereby a person using foot or hand operated mechanisms may activa'te 'a rotary drive'system usually a propellor, to move themselves through the water. These device'sare usually complex, tuiliie'bicycle-type drives and are expensive and cumbersome to handle both prior to and during operation. This invention is light-weight, inexpensivearid may be used by novices such as children in ools or by experienced scuba divers to propel themselves underwater. It may be attached to a surface or underwater means to support the user and provide propulsion means thereof.

This mechanism enables a person to use the long muscles of the legs to their greatest efficiency in propelling the individual upon the surface or underwater. This isaccomplished by providing a drum within a housing with teeth pitched in the opposite direction on opposite sides of the outer circumference. Around the drum is wound a flexible cord. The center of the cord is fastened to the drum, each end of the cord attaches to a foot of the user. Co-acting with the teeth on the drum are drive segments or teeth of a gear located at a right angle with the drum. This gear is attached to the housing by means of a sliding bearing which enables the gear to be engaged first with the teeth on one side of the drum, then when the reciprocal motion changes direction to the teeth on the opposite side. This enables the gear to always turn in the same direction although the drum changes direction as first one leg then the other activates it. The gear is attached at one end of a shaft and at the opposite end a propellor is attached. The entire drive mechanism is within the housing which has a forward opening for water intake and an aft opening through which the propellor drives a water jet which propels the user upon or under the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view of the invention in its simplest use mode as a device for a swimmer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the device in FIG. 1 along lines 22.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the device shown in FIG; 2 rotated 90.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the drive mechanism of FIG. 3 taken along lines 4-4.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section view of the drive mechanism sectioned along lines 55.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings numeral represents the submerged propulsion device shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5 the device comprises a housing (12) which can .be opened to effect repairs or adjustments. A forward opening (13) protected by a coarse screen (14) which prevents objects from being drawn into the mechanism. An aft opening (15), protected by a coarse screen (16). Attachment means (17) for holding the device on the user or on user riding means. A rotatable drum (20) supported in the housing by a shaft (21 riding in selflubricating bearings (22). A flexible cord (23) wound around the drum fastened in the center by attachment means (23a), one end of which is attached to the right foot and the other to the left foot of the user.

' Gear mechanism (30) co-acting with the teeth (24,25) on the drum comprising teeth or rods set around the circumference spaced to interact with teeth (24,25). The teeth (24,25) are cut with a lead edge (26 cut at approximately terminating on a flat area (27)- that extends to a perpendicular wall (28). The teeth (24) on one edge of the circumference are cut so that the lead edge (26) is in the opposite direction of the lead edge-(26) of the teeth (25) on the opposite edge of the circumference.

The face of perpendicular wall (28) on each of the teeth (24) of one side of the drum are so spaced as to be approximately opposite the beginning of the lead in edge.(26) of each of the teeth (25 on the opposite edge of the drum. The root depth of the perpendicular wall (28) is 1% times the diameter of the rods (31) or teeth (not shown) on a gear if they are used.

A shaft (40) one end of which passes through the center and is attached to the gear (30) which is supported by a sliding bushing or bearing (41) and a selfaligning bearing (42). At the end opposite the gear is a ratchet (43) to which is mounted a propeller (44). The gear (30) and propeller (44) may be connected to the shaft (40) by conventional attachment means.

In operation when straightening one leg the user will pull the cord (23) and cause the opposite leg to flex. The drum (20) will turn in one direction. The lead edge (26) of the teeth (24) will engage the rods (31) of gear (30) which will be disposed in that direction by the lead edge (26) of the gear (25). As long as motion of the drum (20) is in that direction the perpendicular wall (28) of teeth (24) will drive the drum (30). Flat surface (27) on the opposite edge will engage (31a) which will have the effect of maintaining rod (31) in engagement with wall (28) opposite. When the user straightens the opposite leg the cord will turn the drum (20) in a reverse direction. The driving force will be transferred from perpendicular wall (28) of teeth (24) to the leadin edge (26). This will force the gear mechanism (30) to move toward the opposite gear teeth (25). The required movement is allowed by means of the sliding bushing or bearing (41) and self-aligning bearing (42). As rod (31) rises on lead in edge (26) of gear (24) a rod (31a) opposite will engage the lead-in edge (26) of gear (25) and will move down said edge until engaged by perpendicular wall (28) of gear (25). Flat surface (27) on the opposite edge will engage (31) which while the direction of drum (20) has been reversed the driving force has been transferred from one edge to the other from teeth (24) to teeth (25). The resulting action on gear mechanism (30) is to drive it continually in the same direction providing a smooth continuous operation of propeller (44). This provides a continuous driving jet of water to be driven through aft opening 15).

Thus having described the invention, what is claimed l. A submergible propulsion device comprising:

a housing having a forward open end and an aft open end;

a drum operably mounted in said housing for rotation therein;

a flexible cord attached to said drum for movement thereof, each end of said cord passes through said housing and extends rearwardly thereof;

means attached to each end of said cord for removably receiving a corresponding foot of the user thereof;

teeth means axially opposed to each other on opposite edges of the circumference of said drum;

gear means positioned between said teeth means for alternating engagement therewith;

a shaft operably mounted in said housing having one end thereof connected to said gear means; and

a propeller attached to the other end of said shaft adjacent the aft open end of the housing.

2. A submergible propulsion device as defined in claim 1 wherein each tooth includes:

a leading edge;

a horizontal area; and

a perpendicular driving wall, each tooth having a top horizontal surface separating the teeth means on an edge of the circumference of said drum and cut so 4 that said leading edge and driving wall of each of said teeth on one edge is opposed to the top flat surface of the teeth on the opposite edge thereof.

3. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 2 including a slidable and self-aligning bearing means mounted in said housing for receiving said shaft therein.

4. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device includes an attachment means connected to said housing for external mounting to a user thereof.

5. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 4 wherein the leading edge of said teeth on said drum edges are cut at an angle of 30 to 60 relative to said horizontal area and said perpendicular wall.

6. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 1 wherein said device includes a protective sheild disposed over each of said open ends of said housing, thereby permitting a free flow of water therethrough and preventing entrance of undesirable objects therein. 

1. A submergible propulsion device comprising: a housing having a forward open end and an aft open end; a drum operably mounted in said housing for rotation therein; a flexible cord attached to said drum for movement thereof, each end of said cord passes through said housing and extends rearwardly thereof; means attached to each end of said cord for removably receiving a corresponding foot of the user thereof; teeth means axially opposed to each other on opposite edges of the circumference of said drum; gear means positioned between saId teeth means for alternating engagement therewith; a shaft operably mounted in said housing having one end thereof connected to said gear means; and a propeller attached to the other end of said shaft adjacent the aft open end of the housing.
 2. A submergible propulsion device as defined in claim 1 wherein each tooth includes: a leading edge; a horizontal area; and a perpendicular driving wall, each tooth having a top horizontal surface separating the teeth means on an edge of the circumference of said drum and cut so that said leading edge and driving wall of each of said teeth on one edge is opposed to the top flat surface of the teeth on the opposite edge thereof.
 3. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 2 including a slidable and self-aligning bearing means mounted in said housing for receiving said shaft therein.
 4. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device includes an attachment means connected to said housing for external mounting to a user thereof.
 5. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 4 wherein the leading edge of said teeth on said drum edges are cut at an angle of 30* to 60* relative to said horizontal area and said perpendicular wall.
 6. A submergible propulsion device as recited in claim 1 wherein said device includes a protective sheild disposed over each of said open ends of said housing, thereby permitting a free flow of water therethrough and preventing entrance of undesirable objects therein. 